Afternoon:
15°c
Art attack at Tate party over gallery’s links to BP
Louise Jury and Felix Allen29 Jun 2010
Artists who have received public funds dumped buckets of “crude oil” in the middle of Tate Britain's glamorous summer party in protest at the gallery's sponsorship ties with BP.
The conceptual artists gained entry to last night's ticket-only event, attended by some of the art world's leading figures, and released pints of molasses resembling oil from containers hidden under their dresses.
They gave their names as Toni Hayward and Bobbi Dudley in reference to BP's chief executive Tony Hayward and managing director Bob Dudley and were part of Liberate Tate, a group started this year by the Laboratory of Insurrectionary Imagination which has received Arts Council funding in the past.
Outside more protesters gave out fliers written by artist/activist group Platform, which receives £60,000 a year subsidy. All called on the Tate to end its sponsorship deal with the energy giant following the Gulf of Mexico disaster.
The party was attended by arts minister Ed Vaizey, Arts Council chief executive Alan Davey, Turner prize winner Mark Wallinger and other leaders including Lord Browne, Tate chairman and former head of BP.
Tate director Sir Nicholas Serota said: “This is a free country. They're entitled to make their protest and disrupt in whatever way they think appropriate.” But BP is a big sponsor of the arts and also supports the National Portrait Gallery and Royal Opera House.
Guests had to face a picket line including protesters wearing black veils who at one point poured barrels of oil and feathers at a gallery entrance.
Painter Anthony Fry said: “We should be thanking BP. It would be a disaster for the arts if BP withdrew its support.”
Reader views (4)
I can immediately see where we can make some huge funding cuts in the Arts budget.
I also suggest that BP withdraw their funding for the Arts given Tate director Serota's comments.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 29/06/2010 18:06
Report abuse
caption to photo should read treacle
- rod, London, 29/06/2010 13:47
Report abuse
Their protest was a work of art also funded by BP.
- Andrew, London, 29/06/2010 12:51
Report abuse
This is still a free Country and these are just R's Oles in every language.
- Bill, Worthing Sussex, 29/06/2010 12:18
Report abuse
